IMPORTANT DATES 2026
Key November General Election Dates
All California active registered voters will receive a ballot for the November 3, 2026, General Election.
September 15, 2026. National Voter Registration Day! Celebrate with us at the SJSU Votes Festival on the 7th St. Paseo 10am-3pm.
October 5, 2026. County elections offices will begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots today to all California active registered voters for the November 3, 2026 General Election.
October 6, 2026. Secure ballot drop-off locations open today. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.
October 19, 2026. Last day to register to vote for the November 3, 2026 General Election and receive a vote by mail (VBM) ballot.
October 20, 2026. Missed the registration deadline? Same-day or conditional voter registration begins today.
October 24, 2026.The first vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties, including Santa Clara County, today.
October 31, 2026. In person early voting locations throughout California will be open today.
November 3, 2026. Election Day (the last day to vote). Polls are open on Election Day 7am-8pm.
November 3, 2026. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked no later than today. If mailing on Election Day, get a hand-stamped postmark from a postal employee inside a United States Post Office.